In a previous blog article, Meal Planning and Grocery Shopping a Simplified Solution, I mention that groceries are the 3rd largest expenditure for a family and quoted the USDA food plans and monthly costs for a family of 4. According to RamseySolutions.com—the average monthly spend for groceries currently is 1 person: $167-$385 2 people: $382-800 Family of 4: $588-1344 Unlike housing and transportation costs (first and second highest expenditures), you can control your sp

Does anyone else remember the TV show on the Food Network called “Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee”? The premise was that by using some prepared items you can save time and still be creative. You can enjoy good food but cut out some of the prep time and a lot of the cleanup time (we love that both on vacation and at home). An interesting fact is that while on vacation we are more likely to try new things! And often vacation will spark a new creative flow within us! Think a

For many people, grocery shopping is Decision Overload. Here are just a few of the decisions: Where to Shop? Online? Store? Which Brand—National Chains (Walmart, Target), Local Chains (Kroger, Publix, Trader Joes) or Discount Chain (Aldi’s, Win-Co)? How frequent? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? As Needed? Fresh or Frozen? Organic? Non-GMO? Brown or White Eggs? Fat-Free or Whole Milk? Low Carb? High Protein? Processed? Whole Grain? Kosher? And the average grocery store has ov

One of my first blog articles (November 2018) was titled Holiday Planning: Menus, Rooms, and Entertainment Ideas. It came from a week of Facebook posts in 2017 where I broke down each area and provided tips for each day leading up to Thanksgiving. Another post was about Social Gatherings in a Physically Distant World (2020). This article is a merging of ideas from both of those articles. I’ve written several blog articles about event planning, holiday planning, meal pl

To bring you the best in Local Products! I am excited to introduce a couple of LOCAL—TOP QUALITY products that you can’t find at grocery stores (they all have retail locations but are not convenient to the beach). However, Grocery Concierge can get these products along with your typical grocery items and stock your vacation beach rental with everything you need! Beverages: Looking for the best WATER? Emerald Coast Ultra-Pure Water is perfect for the beach because the bot

Overcoming the current Restaurant Challenge??? How can you eat out when all the restaurants are short-staffed and you know you are going to have to wait an extra-long time for a table? And take-out doesn’t always work either because it’s not as good by the time you get home. My goal for this article is to give you some ideas of how you can make and enjoy Restaurant Quality Meals in your home using restaurant products you can buy at the grocery store or put on your Grocery

Meal Planning for Vacation: Tips & Tricks to Eating Well If I asked you “What does eating well while on vacation mean, what would you say?” Eating all the junk food I want. Eating out every meal. Eating local and fresh items. Eating healthy, fresh, colorful foods from the local farmer’s market. Eating favorite foods with friends and family. That’s the dilemma—everyone’s definition is a little different. And if you